Men take 2009 IHL crown

Pembroke Wanderers 1 Glenanne 1, AET

Pembroke win 2-1 on shoot-out, May 4th 2009.

An action packed match from start to finish, Pembroke’s player-coach Craig Fulton netted the crucial, sudden death goal in the ensuing shoot-out before the game’s key player, David Harte, denied Glenanne’s Shane O’Donoghue’s effort and earned Pembroke the title with a 2-1 win.

Stu Loughrey had earlier broke that deadlock with a great strike, controlling Tim Lewis’ overhead in his stride to before battering low under the advancing Steven Doran. Glenanne didn’t take long to respond though, it only took them three minutes – another beautiful goal as Butler’s drive was redirected high into the net by Eddie O’Malley with the game only 10mins old.

Pembroke had David Harte’s sheer brilliance to be thankful for, Glenanne were left frustrated when several efforts were brilliantly denied by the Irish ‘keeper. Inevitably the new shoot-out format was called into play and Pembroke kept their nerve to take their 4th title of the year.

An incredible year for Craig Fulton’s men.